Sightseeing. What does that conjure up? A gigantic tour bus, driving for hours around a city to see the sites, looking through a window to get a glimpse at the points of interest?
Today, I went on a tour unlike any I’ve ever experienced. I wasn’t on a bus, I was on a bike. And, it was more than a tour. It was an exhilarating adventure.
Bikes and Hikes LA, an eco-friendly tour company does sightseeing by bicycle (and on foot for hikes). It’s a hands-on, visceral kind of touring that gets you up close and personal with Los Angeles. Plus the well-versed and entertaining tour guide tells you how many calories you’ll burn! Their “LA in a Day” tour takes you on a big loop all around Los Angeles from Beverly Hills to the beach towns and everything in between. (and by the way, they provide the bikes!)
We started just above the famous (and infamous) Sunset Boulevard and headed for
Beverly Hills. We then parked our bikes for a walking tour of The Greystone Mansion, impressive to say the least. Afterward, we cruised along the quintessential wide fancy streets filled with palm trees and mansions. The tour director pointed out famous homes of big Hollywood stars, celebrities and legends. “One of the unique things about Beverly Hills is that each street is uniformed with a specific specie of tree, and it extends through the entire city” he explained. I’ve been living here for many years and had no idea.
As we strolled down one street we stopped at a driveway. “This was where Michael Jackson Lived. Remember the footage of the ambulance backing out of the driveway? It was right here.” As I stood next to my bike at the gate of this gigantic home, I was suddenly transported to that fateful day in 2009 when Jackson died.” Then, I looked down and there was Michael Jackson’s image stamped on the cement.
We continued gliding through the gorgeous streets, filled with celebrity estates; Dr. Phil’s home, the previous home of Lana Turner where she allegedly shot and killed her boyfriend, the last place Lucille Ball lived, Frank Sinatra’s former home, Jennifer Lopez and Mark Antony’s new home, Elvis Presley’s former home and so many more.
Then we came upon a sweeping estate that took up several city blocks. “This is the second most expensive home in the country. 100 million dollars.” As I looked closely at the wrought iron gate, it had a French name engraved on the golden plaque with “Service Entrance” below it. If this was just the service entrance, what would it be like to live in such a place? Then I peeked through the gate getting a glimpse of this expansive estate. I imagined myself walking down the fancy driveway up to the front door, then wandering through the house, and laying out by the gorgeous pool, being served a gourmet lunch.
There’s something about being on a bike, immersed in the environment, feeling the wind at your back, smelling the pine trees, roses and manicured lawns and feeling your heart pumping, that takes touring to a whole new level. It makes you feel more alive.
As we cruised through Bel Air, it was time for a short break. The Japanese Gardens were the perfect rest stop. We walked through the entrance right into Shangri-La with cobble stone paths, little waterfalls, bamboo plants, Birds of Paradise, Koi ponds, even a traditional Japanese Tea Room. In an instant, I was at peace, so I had to do a quick meditation! The sweeping views add a magical feel to this special place. Now I was reinvigorated, ready for the next part of our journey.
We headed off to the flatlands toward the beach. Suddenly, we were catapulted into a completely new environment, with tall buildings, sidewalks and city streets. Then the city streets morphed into expansive roads, filled with beautiful Santa Monica homes.
When we turned a corner, I got a huge whiff of ocean air. I could feel it. We were getting closer to the beach. But first we walked down the Santa Monica shopping Promenade, with cute outdoor cafes and shops. We hopped back on our bikes and before I knew it, we were riding along a bike path next to the Pacific Ocean. We stopped at the skateboard park on the beach, with its deep cement half pipes and extreme skateboarders. Normally I could care less about watching skateboarders, but there was something about being on a bike, in the trenches, that made me want to be in the moment. I just felt great in my skin.
As we continued along the path, the scene changed from beach condos and skateboarders to the artsy enclaves of Venice. Once again I felt transported to another time and place. This time is was the 60s. Before I knew it, we were cruising Venice’s famous street, Abbot Kinney (a cross between Carmel and La Quinta) filled with boutique shops, art galleries and bistros, We stopped for lunch at this local pizza place and had their special salad pizza; plain warm pizza crust topped with a delicious green avocado salad. After lunch, we hopped back on our bikes and rode to a little path along the Venice Canals lined with adorable cottages. I felt like I was transported again to some quaint little European town.
Now, it was time to start heading back. The long bike path was an easy ride along a river, so I put on my iPod and rode effortlessly, taking in this amazing day; the Beverly Hills estates, Greystone Mansion, the Japanese Gardens, the Santa Monica Promenade, the beach towns, the delicious lunch. I felt so filled up, so sated, and to my surprise, so energized!
After the bike path stretch, we rode through some fascinating ethnic neighborhoods
with women strolling with their children, adorned in colorful, flowing, garb. And then just as I thought we were done, we ended our tour with a cruise up the paparazzi infested Robertson Boulevard (they were out en mass waiting at a famous restaurant to get their money shot of some celeb).
As we rode our last block, I was deliciously spent. It was a full day of touring, experiencing, exercising and pure fun.
I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. It’s the best LA adventure I’ve had.
-Tracy Pattin
To find out more, go to www.BikesandHikesLA.com
Subscribe Via Email
Subscribe Via RSS
